Most consumers manage to avoid checking fees, survey finds

By: Mark Williams

The Columbus Dispatch - September 16, 2013 10:41 AM

Despite all the attention that banks have received over higher fees for
checking accounts, most Americans still pay little or nothing for their checking account, according
to an American Bankers Association survey.

This summer's survey found 55 percent of Americans pay nothing and 10
percent pay $3 or less. On the other end, 14 percent pay $10 or more a month.

Still, the 55 percent figure is down from 59 percent in last year's
survey.

The group said consumers are avoiding fees by doing things like maintaining
a minimum balance, using direct deposit or only using ATMs owned by their bank.